Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 9) — President Rodrigo Duterte is calling on those who survived from the coronavirus disease to donate their blood to help other patients recover from the viral illness.
“Mag mabuting-loob kayo. And I think kung ako (Please be kind-hearted. And I think if I were you), I should volunteer. That is the way of thanking God that you have survived,” Duterte said in an online briefing aired in the wee hours of Thursday.
“Magpakuha kayo kasi ‘yun ang dugo ninyo — ‘yung plasma ninyo ‘yun ang i-inject doon sa mga tinamaan,” he added.
[Translation: Donate blood because your blood, your plasma will be injected to those infected.]
The Philippine General Hospital has been making the same appeal since last week.
Dr. Edsel Salvana, an infectious disease expert and a COVID-19 frontliner from PGH explained that the recovered patients’ blood is rich in antibodies which could fight COVID-19. He added that this is an old method of treating patients, which “works in a lot of diseases.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, at least 96 people have recovered from the coronavirus disease in the country. The Department of Health clarified that its report covers only the patients confined in the hospitals. This means more people with mild or no symptoms may have recovered while under home quarantine, the DOH said.
The Philippines has 3,870 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 182 deaths. Among those infected are more than 200 health workers — 152 doctors and 63 nurses.
Duterte praised the doctors and experts from the University of the Philippines for their contribution in the fight against COVID-19.
“Ang pag-asa natin is – including UP, itong atin ipagmalaki rin natin ang mga doktor natin. Iyang mga bright,” he said.
[Translation: Our hope is — including UP, we are proud of our doctors, too. They are bright.]
